Whatever Happened To ‘Donna Reed Show’ Star Ann McCrea?

THE DONNA REED SHOW, Bob Crane, Ann McCrea, 1958-1966 — Everett Collection

What To Know

Ann McCrea began her career as a model before transitioning to acting in both film and television.
She appeared in numerous small film roles in the 1950s and became a familiar face on various popular TV series throughout the late 1950s and 1960s.
After retiring from acting in 1971, little has been publicly known about McCrea’s life.

From 1963 to 1966, Ann McCrea played Midge Kelsey, the Stones’ friendly next-door neighbor, on The Donna Reed Show in its later seasons. As McCrea turned 95 on February 25, let’s revisit her career and see whether she’s been doing anything notable in recent years.

McCrea was born on February, 25, 1931, in DuBois, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of a Greek mother and a Scottish father and became interested in acting at a young age after seeing stage productions in New York. Before pursuing acting full-time, McCrea attended modeling school and worked as a successful model and cover girl. She reportedly met Bing Crosby during this period, and he encouraged her to move to Hollywood.

McCrea made her film debut in 1952 with an uncredited role in Deadline U.S.A. Her early years followed a familiar studio-era pattern, with appearances in small or uncredited roles in major productions such as Singin’ in the Rain, The Band Wagon, I Love Melvin, and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? While these appearances were brief, they placed her in some of the most recognizable films of the period. By the mid 1950s, she began receiving more substantial credited roles, including Sweethearts on Parade in 1953 and China Doll in 1958.

THE DONNA REED SHOW, Ann McCrea, (1963), 1958-1966

Everett Collection

Television quickly became the foundation of McCrea’s career. Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, she became a familiar face on episodic television, appearing on series such as Perry Mason, Rawhide, Bachelor Father, Death Valley Days, The Bob Cummings Show, Surfside 6, and McHale’s Navy. She was frequently cast in different roles on the same series.

Her most recognizable role came in 1963 when she joined The Donna Reed Show as Midge Kelsey. As the Stones’ neighbor, Midge served as a grounded counterpart to Donna Stone, often functioning as a sounding board. McCrea remained with the series until 1966, appearing during its later, color episodes and becoming a steady presence for longtime viewers.

After leaving The Donna Reed Show, McCrea continued acting through the late 1960s. She appeared in feature films including The War Wagon and Welcome to Hard Times in 1967 and maintained a strong television presence with roles on My Three Sons, Family Affair, Wendy and Me, and No Time for Sergeants. Her final screen appearances aired in 1971, after which she retired from acting entirely. Unfortunately, not much is known about her life in recent years.